Condición clínica y respuesta fisiológica en el test de caminata de los 6 minutos en pacientes con EPOC en diferentes alturas sobre el nivel del mar

Introduction

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is the most frequently used functional assessment test in patients with cardiorespiratory diseases, including COPD. Little has been investigated regarding the chronic response to different altitudes above sea level.

Aim

This study aimed to describe the clinical condition and physiological response to performing the 6MWT at different altitudes above sea level and, subsequently, to describe the correlation with distance traveled in a population of patients diagnosed with COPD living in four Colombian cities.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study in patients with COPD diagnosis belonging to the pulmonary rehabilitation department of the four Colombian cities located at different altitudes above sea level. Sociodemographic, clinical and related variables were linked to the 6MWT.

Results

A total of 268 patients participated with a mean age of 71.1 ± 10.16. The distance covered in all the patients in the 6MWT was 376.4 ± 117.5, higher in medium altitude 466.7 ± 66.2 p-value = 0.000. Desaturation was higher in the mid-altitude group. Age, VO2e, and METs correlated with all altitude groups above sea level.

Conclusions

Patients linked to the high-altitude group with a diagnosis of COPD show lower distance traveled in the 6MWT and higher mMRC dyspnea score compared to the other groups; Additionally, in all height groups above sea level, age presents the best correlation with the distance traveled in the 6MWT.